The condition of the synthetic athletic track at the Bangabandhu National Stadium is in dire straits and requires emergency basis refurbishment to keep its utility.
The athletics track, that cost Tk10 crore at the time of installation, at the premier sporting venue of the country, which hosts national and international sporting events, has been badly damaged for holding non-sporting events like the concert and of the ICC World T20. There are several holes across the track with the biggest hole of about three feet in semi circular width in front of the eastern gallery which requires immediate repairing as rain water drains beneath the turf which is slowly turning the whole establishment to ruins. The chunk probably was a result of unloading heavy machinery during the concert.
The more alarming news was Bangladesh Cycling Federation has requested the Bangladesh Olympic Association to allow its cyclists to practice in regular basis on the turf. Nowhere in the world does cyclists practice on the athletic track and it stunned the athletic federation officials.
Ibrahim Changish, the general secretary of the athletic federation reacted furiously and said, “I heard about cycling federation’s request and to be frank I am astonished. How can they make such a demand? The track is not suitable to grip the cycle tyre, we don’t mind about hosting the national events as cycling does not have any velodrome, but normally the tyre destroys the surface and makes it uneven.”
“We seriously protest the demand and hope National Sports Council will not allow the cyclists to roll their cycles on the turf,” added the general secretary.
The track was even badly damaged two years back when Jubo League accorded a reception to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the occasion of winning the verdict of maritime suit against Myanmar.
The track was installed in the big bowl on 2005 and these tracks normally last over 10 years. However, given the current conditions it is highly unlikely the track will survive that long.
